Chiang Rai Map and Travel Guide
Chiang Rai, the northernmost province of Thailand is about
785 kilometers north of Bangkok. Situated on the Kok River basin,
Chiang Rai covers an area of approximately 11,678 square meters
with an average elevation of 580 meters above sea level. The province,
which is located within the renowned Golden Triangle area where
Myanmar, Laos and Thailand converge, is also known as the gateway
to Myanmar, Laos and Southern China.
Chiang Rai, which was founded in 1262 by King Meng Rai,
was the first capital of the Lanna Thai Kingdom (Kingdom of a million
rice fields), which was later conquered by Burma. It was not until
1786 that Chiang Rai became a Thai territory and was proclaimed
a province during the reign of King Rama VI in 1910.
Today, Chiang Rai is a travelers paradise endowed with abundant
natural tourist attractions and antiquities; the province itself
is evidence of past civilization. Attractions range from magnificent
mountain scenery, ruins of ancient settlements, historic sites,
Buddhist shrines and ethnic villages as the province is also home
to several hill tribes who maintain fascinating lifestyles. For
those interested in the natural side of Chiang Rai, jungle trekking
is recommended along various trails.
Chiang Rai which tends to be a little more 'laid back' now
competes with Chiang Mai as a tourist attraction and is fast becoming
a popular escape for tourists wanting to get away from the troubles
they left behind.
How to get there
Bangkok - Chiang Rai
By Air
Thai Airways has daily flights connecting Bangkok with Chiang Rai.
For more information, contact their Bangkok office at tel. 0 2280
0060, 0 2628 2000, the Chiang Rai Office tel. 0 5371 1179, 0 5371
5207, or view their website at www.thaiairways.com.
One-Two-Go offers daily flights from Bangkok to Chiang Rai. Call
1126 or book online at http://www.fly12go.com
By Bus
The coach ride from Bangkok to Chiang Rai is probably best made
overnight since passengers can avail themselves of sleep prior to
an early morning arrival. There are both air-conditioned and non-air-conditioned
bus services from Bangkok's Northern Bus Terminal (Mochit 2 Bus
Terminal) on Kamphaengphet 2 Road. The journey may take approximately
9-11 hours.
By Car
Take Highway No. 1 (Phahonyothin Road), turn to route No. 32 passing
Ayutthaya, Angthong and Singburi Provinces and change to route No.
11 passing Phitsanulok, Uttaradit and Phrae Provinces then turn
left to Highway No. 103, drive through to Ngao District and turn
right onto Highway No. 1 which takes you to Phayao and Chiang Rai
Provinces. The total distance is 785 km.
By Rail
There is no direct train to Chiang Rai. You have to take a train
to Lampang
(9 hrs. from Bangkok) or Chiang Mai (11 hrs.) and then take a bus
to Chiang Rai. (2 hrs. from Lampang and 1.30 hrs. from Chiang Mai)
For more details, call the State Railway of Thailand, 1690 (hotline),
or 0 2223 7010 or 0 2223 7020.
By Boat
The capital may also be reached from Tha Thon in Chiang Mai province
by a scenic 4-6 hour (depending on climatic conditions, such as
rain, and other factors such as high waters and fast currents) long-tail
boat ride along the Mae Kok River.
Chiang Mai - Chiang Rai
By Bus
Chiang Rai is 182 kilometers north of Chiang Mai. Air conditioned
buses leave 12 times daily from Chiang Mai Arcade Bus Terminal to
Chiang Rai. Some buses continue to Mae Sai and Chiang Saen.
By Air
Airlines have numerous daily flights servicing the Bangkok-Chiang
Mai route and the Chiang Mai-Chiang Rai route.
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